First grow and very confused about soil and nutes

[instink]

Hey guys,

 

There are so many advanced things being discussed here it's making my head spin. I've never grown anything before (not even a flower or tomatoes or shit) and have no plant knowledge....

 

I just had a walk through flower power and couldn't see any of the stuff being mentioned here... All I really want is 2 or 3 plants, grown indoors with a simple light setup, no fancy hydro

 

Please can I have some basic soil advice? If I can get it at an ordinary plant shop or readily off an australian site that would be great... also what I should use to fertilize my babies and how often etc... like I said I know NOTHING but am very willing to learn... the main problem I'm having is finding all this stuff people talk about e.g. eco-grow is apparently stellar for growing but a quick google can't find anywhere in australia...

 

So yeah, sorry if this has been answered many times already but I'm just overloaded with information here Anyone who can simplify it for me will have much gratitude! Thanks!

[everest]

chill out mate ..... thats first .

soil , get searles premium , shit i ought to be a rep for those cunts !

70/30 mix with perlite

start in small cups or pots

no ferts at first

maybe a bit of superthrive

use good old miracle grow for veg stage

get a few fluros if you starting from seed

get a 400 m/h light ....... then we could talk some more your in the right place

we will guide you ::

Edited March 8, 2005 by everest

[Pure]

A hydro run to waste system is very easy to manage and a great option for someone not watign to fuss around and water each day ,there are a few tutorials on the watering systems in the hydroponics section that will explain the watering systems for you

 

the next choice you wanna make is your choice of medium . personaly I like hydroponic mediums but if yopu have your heart set on soil then I would sugest making up your own

 

if you want a sugestion try 2 parts premium pottign mix and one part perlite for added drainage , then add some blood and bone , or manure to the mix for those loved trace elements all of those will be available at flower power but your really better of goign to a hardware store like bunnings who generally sell it for less ,

 

also helps to pasturise your manure if it's fresh before use as it will kill allot of the nasties

 

hope that helps untangle some webs

[instink]

Thanks guys, much apprecaited

 

I know this isn't the lighting forum but it's on topic... do I really need a 400W light (is that a HID light?) for one or two plants? I really don't want my parents to notice the increased power consumption. I was originally thinking of something like this:

 

http://users.bigpond.net.au/nutriflo/light.htm#Fluoro

 

The twin 2 foot model, with one cool white and one grolux, apparently they work great in tandem, but its only 40W. Any opninions on this? Evereset were you suggesting a fluro for the first stages then 400 m/h for later?

 

Pasteuriseing manure - is that just baking it in the oven? Wouldn't that stink to high heaven?

 

Thanks again!

[everest]

hey mate ....... the 400 watt m/h light was for veg .

600 hps for flower .... 2- 3 plants yes .

you worried about the power bill ?

grow some plants with those lights you mentioned ..... cough , cough ..... then plant em out in the spring.....and harvest when they are ready :scratchin could be ages .

[instink]

Hmm i've decided to try the lighting forum since this is a bit off topic... anyway thanks for your help with the soil and ferts If you want to help me more you can check out a post I will surely make over at lighting thanks! Edited March 8, 2005 by instink

[instink]

Ok so miracle grow for veg stage... then what for flower? I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but it would be nice to know... ta!

[F420]

I personally hate miracle grow that stufs crap.

But hey im sure it would work ok.

 

myself I would use a specif made nutrients like dutch master etc.

[Pure]

IF you do decide a cheap brand like mg is for you then be warned that you should only use 1/2 strengh miricle grow and feed mabey once a week or every two weeks , as it will burn your plants pretty easly from what I have seen,

it's not meant for constant fertilisation , it goes in and releases for a period enriching ( and rasign the salt levels ) of the soil , continual feedign with it will give you burn

 

invest a little cash and get some decent nutrients is my 2 cents

[instink]

Yeah well it seems that everyone that uses Canna swears by it so I'll probbaly go with that then.

 

How am I supposed to know how much I should be feeding the plants? Since I have no background in this I am just totally baffled. Also with additives like superthrive etc how do I know how much to use?

 

If I used solely Canna Veg then Flores would that be enough for a decent (nothing spectacular) crop? Or other stuff is needed? thanks....